Cleveland Prenuptial Agreement Lawyer
Choosing to spend the rest of your life with someone is a joyous and exciting occasion. However, taking the necessary steps to ensure your best interests are protected in the unforeseen event your marriage doesn’t work out is always a good idea. But often, asking your future spouse to agree to a prenuptial agreement can be a challenging endeavor.
If you have decided to get married but are unsure whether to create a premarital agreement, we encourage you to contact a skilled prenuptial agreement attorney in Cleveland.
The experienced legal team at Slater & Zurz has been helping Ohioans with their family law matters for over 32 years. We understand the sensitive yet important nature of establishing a prenuptial agreement and can help you through the process.
We will discuss your options and implement a plan to protect your rights and future interests. To learn more about prenuptial agreements in Cleveland, we recommend scheduling a complimentary consultation with one of our skilled attorneys.
Call (440) 557-2861 or contact us online to arrange your confidential consultation.
When a Cleveland Prenuptial Agreement is Beneficial
Prenuptial agreements in the state of Ohio are called Antenuptial agreements and can offer benefits in several situations. These include, but are not limited to:
- One or both parties have significant wealth – When one or more spouses have a substantial amount of assets, they will typically want to protect them in case of a legal separation, dissolution of marriage, or divorce. This situation most often comes to mind when people think of a prenup.
- One or both parties have been previously married – Previously married – and divorced couples have experienced first-hand the difficulties in dividing marital assets, debts, inheritances, and more. A previous divorce may also affect the party’s present and future financial obligations.
- One or more spouses have children – It is not uncommon for one or both parties to have children from a previous marriage. Prenuptial agreements can ensure the financial interests of those children are protected and preserved in the event of their parent’s divorce or death.
- One or more parties have accumulated significant debt – If one or more parties have acquired considerable debt, the other spouse may wish to protect themselves from having to pay that debt in the event of a dissolution of divorce. Premarital debt is typically the responsibility of the party who incurred the debt. However, debt incurred during the marriage becomes both parties’ obligations.
- One or more parties own a business – Premarital agreements help to protect the business interests of one or more spouses. It can also provide full discretion over the current and future management of the business and outline the rights of each spouse to the business and its profits should the couple choose to divorce.
- One or both spouses stand to inherit a large inheritance – Many individuals want to ensure any inheritance remains intact and solely in their possession in the event of a divorce.
Consult with our prenuptial lawyer in Cleveland. Call Slater & Zurz (440) 557-2861 or contact us online.
What a Prenuptial Agreement Should Include
Disagreements and disputes over finances are one of the leading causes of tension between spouses. A prenuptial agreement effectively addresses your family’s financial future and ensures you and your future spouse are on the same page. Matters included in a prenuptial agreement include:
Premarital Assets and Debt
A prenuptial agreement should define how assets and debts owned by either spouse before the marriage will be treated after marriage. For example, if one spouse owns a vehicle outright before the wedding, will the other spouse own half once they are married? Or, if one spouse has substantial school loans, will they be solely responsible, or will both spouses be required to pay the debt?
Matters Relating to Children from a Previous Marriage
When either spouse has children from a previous marriage or relationship, a prenuptial agreement should establish how those children will be provided for and also include instructions for inheritances in the event their parent dies. Normally, the other spouse has the first claim to an estate, so a spouse with children will want to ensure specific provisions guarantee an inheritance for those children.
Marital Assets and Debt
Assets and debts acquired during the marriage are split under Ohio’s equitable distribution rule. Should you and your future spouse want to stipulate that certain assets or debts acquired in the future remain separate, you will need to establish this in your prenup.
Future Inheritance
If there are family heirlooms or inheritances that either spouse wants to keep separate and/or on their side of the family, a prenuptial agreement can help define who will retain those assets, especially in the event of a divorce or dissolution.
Marital Financial Responsibilities
Prenups can’t detail who is responsible for non-financial matters, such as who will take out the trash or clean the marital home,. However, you can detail who is responsible for paying the bills, how bank accounts will be handled, how investments will be handled, etc.
Asset and Debt Division in Divorce
Your prenuptial agreement can also define how your assets and debts will be divided in the event of a divorce. These details are especially important when one or both spouses own a business and want to ensure they maintain control of that business should a divorce occur.
How Our Cleveland Prenuptial Attorneys Can Help
Determining whether to establish a prenuptial agreement and how to approach the often sensitive matter with your future spouse can be a bit stressful. The Cleveland prenuptial lawyers at Slater & Zurz can help you approach both issues thoughtfully and effectively.
We have helped Ohioans establish premarital arrangements for decades. Our team knows how to protect your best interests – and financial future in case of a divorce or dissolution of marriage. Our attorneys will assist by:
- Establishing open lines of communication
- Keeping you apprised of the status of your agreement
- Carefully assessing all current and future financial matters
- Thoughtfully executing an agreement that is in line with your goals and needs
- Working to resolve contentious aspects of the prenup amicably
- Offering our input and guidance on how best to approach the subject of a prenup with your future spouse
- Continuing to offer expert legal assistance in any other family law matters should any arise in the future
Having the right Cleveland family law attorney can make all the difference in securing your financial future. No one gets married thinking it will ultimately end in divorce. But having an agreement in place will give you peace of mind, knowing your assets will not be lost should you and your spouse decide to end the marriage.
Speak to our prenuptial attorney in Cleveland. Call (440) 557-2861 today.
Speak to a Top Prenuptial Agreement Lawyer in Cleveland, Ohio
At Slater & Zurz, we understand that having a prenuptial agreement can have both personal and financial ramifications. Should you want to ask your future spouse for a prenup or have been asked to agree to a premarital contract, we highly recommend speaking to an experienced and dedicated family law attorney in Cleveland.
During your initial consultation, we will thoughtfully discuss your unique situation and offer our assessment and recommendations. We will help you navigate the sometimes sensitive prenuptial agreement process and protect your rights and best interests, ensuring we secure the ideal outcome. Contact our firm for a confidential consultation to learn more about Cleveland premarital agreements. Call (440) 557-2861 or fill out our online form.